‘Whose idea was this?’

The royal couple left the damp and cold of Newfoundland yesterday for the rain and cold of Ontario today. They’d barely walked onto HMCS Haida, tied up in Hamilton’s harbour, when the skies opened. “Whose idea was this?” Prince Charles jokingly asked. At least they got their first Canadian walkabout out of the way before the rain started falling. In sharp contrast to the small number of people turning out to see the heir to the throne and his second wife in Newfoundland, at least 2,000 Canadians manned the barricades in Hamilton. The couple was there to visit Dundurn Castle, built by Camilla’s great-great-great grandfather Sir Allan MacNab.

Charles and Camilla personally greeted all 400 guests at last night’s official welcoming reception at Toronto’s art deco masterpiece, the Carlu (known to older Canadians as Eaton’s seventh floor). Sources say that while Camilla—who wore a spectacular gold and emerald choker with her blue cocktail suit—seemed a bit more fragile than she appears in pictures, she and Charles dutifully shook hands with every person. By then, the 60-something couple was no doubt coping with not only fatigue but also jetlag; their jam-packed day had started in Newfoundland more than 10 hours before.

Today finds the royal couple twirling around southern Ontario before a ceremony at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium to present new regimental colours to the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s Own). It should be a spectacular sight if the rain holds off and the wind doesn’t whip.

ITINERARY
Thursday, November 5, 2009 (Hamilton, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Toronto)

Late Morning
Their Royal Highnesses visit Hamilton’s historic Dundurn Castle, built by The Duchess’ ancestor, her great-great-great grandfather, Sir Allan MacNab, Prime Minister of the Province of Canada from 1854-56. They plant a tree in commemoration of their visit.

Afternoon
Their Royal Highnesses tour national historic site, the HMCS Haida. They will meet with volunteers and veterans, open a small museum and unveil a plaque commemorating their visit.

His Royal Highness visits the Niagara College Teaching Winery. Following a tour of the new Wine Visitor and Education Centre facility, His Royal Highness joins a reception and unveils a plaque commemorating the Royal Visit.

Evening
His Royal Highness will present colours to the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s Own) at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. Their Royal Highnesses will meet with members of both regimental families, including serving, retired and civilian supporters